Industrial truck rotary holder attachment



3 Sheets-Sheet l M 4 EW INVENTOR. JOSEPH L. BRADY BY /Wm ATTY.

Jufiy 3, 1956 J. 1.. BRADY INDUSTRIAL. TRUCK ROTARY HOLDER ATTACHMENT Filed June 12, 1953 FIG. 5

%may 3 W5 J. L. BRADY fl l INDUSTRIAL TRUCK ROTARY HOLDER ATTACHMENT INVENTOR. JOSEPH L. BRMDY Jufiy 3 1956 .J. L. BRADY 2,753,065

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK ROTARY HOLDER ATTACHMENT Filed June 12, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH L. BRADY ATTV INDUSTRIAL TRUCK ROTARY HOLDER ATTACHMENT .ieseph L. Brady, Albion, Mich., assignor to Clark Equipment Company, a corporation of Michigan Application June 12, 1953, Serial No. 361,136

7 Claims. (Cl. 214652) My present invention relates generally to an attachment for an industrial truck, and, more specifically, is directed to an attachment adapted for gripping a load and rotating the latter about an axis extending transversely of the industrial truck.

Repeatedly, in manufacturing processes, metals are cast from a furnace into ingot molds. The ingots thus formed are removed from the molds and then rolled into intermediate shapes such as billets. After an ingot has been rolled into a substantially square billet, it is frequently necessary to subject such billet to an inspection. Heretotore, it has been necessary to employ either manual labor or an overhead crane to rotate the billet from one side to another for inspection purposes.

These methods of rotating billets for purposes of in spection have proved unsatisfactory. Obviously, manual labor is expensive and is incapable of handling relatively heavy billets. An overhead crane, on the other hand, is a machine which is too expensive to be tied up with such work as rotating ingots.

It is an object of my present invention to provide an attachment for an industrial truck comprising gripping and rotating means which is adapted to first grip and then effect rotation of a billet from one side to another side in order, for example, to facilitate inspection of the billet after the latter has been discharged from a rolling mill.

it is another object of my present invention to provide an attachment for an industrial truck, as noted, wherein the gripping and rotating means may be shifted transversely of the truck so as to permit it to be properly positioned relative to the end of a billet.

In the accomplishment of the above objects, 1 provide a first generally horizontal slide assembly which is secured to the load supporting carriage of the industrial truck for vertical movement therewith. A second generally vertical slide assembly is provided, and means is operatively interconnected between the first and second slide assemblies whereby rotation of the second slide assembly, relative to the first slide assembly, may be effected. Relatively movable jaw means is associated with the second slide assembly, and suitable means is provided for effecting movement of the relatively movable jaw means, so that a load, such as a billet, may be engaged thereby. Further means is associated with the first slide assembly for effecting movement of the second slide assembly and jaw means transversely of the industrial truck.

In engaging the projecting end of a load, such as a billet, the second slide assembly is moved transversely of the truck toward the billet end and is rotated until the relatively movable jaw means is properly positioned relative to the diagonal corners of the billet to be engaged. Thereafter, the relatively movable jaw means is actuated for securely gripping the billet end and then rotated 90 degrees for rotating the billet from one side :1 ited States Patent to another side. After rotation the jaw means may be released.

In the utilization of the mechanism of my present invention, the billet gripping jaw means may be positioned, disposed in gripping engagement, rotated and released entirely remotely by an operator of the industrial trucic while he remains on the seat of the industrial truck. it is thus possible to effect rotation of a billet with a single workman. This is to be compared with crane operations wherein at least two men are required, namely, one in the overhead crane cab and another at the load gripping means for adjusting the latter. The manpower saved by employing an industrial truck will be quite apparent to those skilled in the art.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using gripping and rotating mechanisms in accordance with the principles of my present invention, 1 shall describe in connection with the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of my present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of an industrial truck with which the gripping and rotating mechanism of my present invention is embodied;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the gripping and rotating mechanism shown in Figure l and Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the gripping and rotating mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is indicated generally by the reference numeral ltl an industrial truck having a pair of forward drive wheels 12 powered by suitable prime mover means (not shown). The truck 10 is further provided with a pair of rear steering wheels 14 which are operatively connected, through suitable linkage means, to a steering column 16 having a hand steering wheel 18 at the upper end thereof. The hand steering wheel 18 is arranged forwardly of a drivers seat 20.

Disposed at the forward end of the truck 10 is a generally vertically extending mast construction indicated generally by the reference numeral 22. The mast 22 comprises outer slide or channel members 24 which, at their lower ends, are pivoted to the truck, and, at their upper ends, are interconnected by a horizontal U- shaped brace The outer slides 24; are adapted to be tilted forwardly and rearwardly by means of hydraulic actuating assemblies having connection with the brackets 26 secured to the outer slides of the outer slides 24. Arranged within the outer slides 24 are inner slides 28 which are interconnected, at their upper ends, by a crosshead Evil. A generally vertically extending hydraulic actuating assembly 32 is arranged within the confines of the mast construction 22. and comprises a cylinder 34, which is secured, at its lower end, to the outer slide members 24. The hydraulic actuating assembly 32 further comprises a piston rod 36 which is connected, at its upper end, to the crosshead 30 whereby vertical movement of the inner slides 28 may be effected by suitable actuation of the hydraulic actuating assembly 32. Sprockets 38 are rotatably mounted on the crosshead 39, and chains 40 are trained over the sprockets 38. The chains 4d are secured, at their one ends, to the outer slide members 24-, and, at their other ends, to a load supporting carriage indicated generally at 42. Secured to the front of the load supporting carriage 42 are up per and lower transverse plate members 44 and 46, respectively.

A pair of laterally spaced L-shaped frame: members 43 are arranged forwardly of the truck mast 22 with the vertical legs being secured to the plate members 44 and 46 and the horizontal legs providing support for a horizontal telescopic slide assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The slide assembly 50 is adapted to be moved vertically with the load supporting carriage 42.

The horizontal telescopic slide assembly 50 comprises spaced apart outer C-shaped channel members 52 which are inter-connected, at their one ends, by a closure plate 53 and a brace 54. Slidably mounted in the outer channel members 52 are inner C-shaped channel members 56. A first horizontal platform 58 is secured to the bight portions of the inner channel members 56, intermediate of the ends thereof. A hydraulic actuating assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, is disposed within the confines of the horizontal slide assembly 50. The hydraulic actuating assembly 60 comprises a cylinder 62 which is secured, at its one end, to the closure plate 53. The hydraulic actuating assembly 60 further comprises a piston rod 64 which is connected to the platform 58. The platform 58 may be moved transversely of the truck by suitable actuation of the hydraulic actuating assembly 60, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

A prime mover 66, preferably in the form of a hydraulic motor, is supported on the platform 58 for transverse movement therewith. The motor 66 is provided with a drive shaft 67.

A second horizontal platform 68 is secured, at its ends, to the bight portions of the inner C-shaped channel members 56, at the ends thereof. A bearing support housing 70 is secured to the upper ends of vertically extending pedestals 72 which are mounted on the platform 68. A pair of spaced bearing assemblies 74 and 75 are arranged Within the bearing support housing 70' and the bearing assemblies are held in position by end cap members 76. The bearing assemblies 74 and 75 provide a journalecl support for a stub shaft 78 which, at one end, has suitable connection with the afore-noted motor shaft 67.

The other end of the stub shaft 78 supports a rotatable slide assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 80, which lies in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the truck 10. The slide assembly 80 comprises a vertical base plate 82 which is connected to the end of the shaft 78. A pair of spaced C-shaped outer channel members 84 are secured to the forward face of the plate 82 at the sides thereof. The upper and lower ends of the outer channel members 84 are respectively inter-connected by braces 85.

A jaw plate member 86 is secured, at its ends, to the legs of the outer channel members 84, intermediate of the ends thereof. A generally V-shaped assembly 88 is suitably secured, as by welding, to the jaw plate 86 for defining a fixed clamp jaw.

Inner slides 90 are arranged for movement within the outer channel members 84. A crosshead 92 inter-connects the inner slides 90, and a hydraulic actuating assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 94, is provided for effecting movement of the inner slides 90. The hydraulic actuating assembly 94 comprises a cylinder 96, which is secured to the lower brace 85, and the assembly 94 also comprises a piston rod 98, which is connected, at its upper end, to the crosshead 92. A suitable jaw plate 100 is secured, at its ends, to the inner slides 90, and a generally V-shaped assembly 102 is suitably secured, as by welding, to the plate 100 for defining a movable clamp jaw which is adapted for co-operation with the afore-described fixed clamp jaw 88. The jaws 88 and 102, which project laterally of the truck, define relatively movable jaw means which is adapted for engaging loads as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The above-described mechanism of my present invention is particularly adapted for gripping and rotating metal billets in a manner facilitating inspection of the latter. After the attachment of my present invention has been secured to the load supporting carriage of an indus trial truck, the truck is first driven to a position close to one end of the billet to be engaged with the longitudinal axis of the truck being aligned substantially perpendicular to the axis of the billet. Fluid under pressure is then admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 96 of the hydraulic actuating assembly 94 for distending the piston rod 98. Then, fluid under pressure is admitted to the left end of the cylinder 62 of the hydraulic actuating assembly 60, as viewed in Figure 2, for distending the piston rod 64 and moving the platforms 58 and 68 until the jaws 88 and 102 are disposed closely adjacent to the end of the billet to be engaged. Thereupon, fluid under pressure is admitted to one side of the fluid motor 66 for causing rotation of the drive shaft 67 whereupon the slide assembly is rotated 45 degrees in one direction until the jaws 88 and 102 are aligned with one pair of diagonal corners of the billet. At this point, fluid under pressure is admitted to the upper end of the cylinder 96 of the hydraulic actuating assembly 94 while fluid is simultaneously bled from the lower end of the cylinder 96. This causes the piston rod 98 to be retracted and the jaws 88 and 102 placed in clamping engagement with the end of the billet.

After the billet end has been securely clamped between the jaws 88 and 102, fluid under pressure is admitted to the opposite side of the fluid motor 66, and the slide assembly, together with the jaws 88 and 102 and the engaged billet, are rotated degrees, which elfects rotation of the billet from one side to another. Fluid under pressure is then admitted to the lower end of the cylinder 96 of the hydraulic actuating assembly 94 for distending the piston rod 98 and releasing the jaws 88 and 102 from gripping engagement with the billet end. Then fluid under pressure is admitted to the right end of the cylinder 62, as viewed in Figure 2, until the piston rod 64 is retracted and the jaws 88 and 102 moved away from the proximity of the billet.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the slide assembly 80 may be rotated 45 degrees in either direction from its neutral position shown in the drawings. Then the slide assembly 80 may be rotated 90 degrees in a direction opposite to the direction in which it was first rotated 45 degrees. As a result of this arrangement, billets may be turned 90 degrees in either direction, as required. It is to be further noted from the foregoing description, that the entire operation of revolving a billet may be accomplished by a single workman, while remaining seated on the industrial truck 10. While the hydraulic connections do not appear in the drawing it will be understood that all of the hydraulic devices 32, 60, 66 and 94 may be connected in a conventional manner for operation by the operator of the truck 10.

Now, although I have shown and described what I believe to be a preferred embodiment of my present invention, it will be understood that various modifications and rE arrangements may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my present invention.

I claim:

1. For use with an industrial truck having an upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting carriage, the combination of a slide assembly arranged in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the truck, relatively movable jaw means carried by said slide assembly and projecting laterally of the truck, means carried by said slide assembly for effecting movement of said relatively movable jaw means whereby a load may be engaged thereby, and means carried by the load supporting carriage for effecting movement of the slide assembly transversely of the truck to facilitate the positioning of said movable jaw means relative to a load prior to engagement of the latter.

2. For use with an industrial truck having an upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting carriage, the combination of a slide assembly arranged in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the truck, relatively movable jaw means carried by said slide assembly and projecting laterally of the truck, means carried by said slide assembly for effecting movement of said relatively movable jaw means whereby a load may be engaged thereby, means carried by the load supporting carriage for etfecting rotation of said slide assembly whereby said movable jaw means before engagement with a load may be rotated for varying its rotative position relative to the load and after engagement with the load may be rotated for effecting rotary movement of the load, and means carried by the load supporting carriage for effecting movement of said last named means and said slide assembly transversely of the truck to facilitate the positioning of said movable jaw means relative to a load prior to engagement of the latter.

3. For use with an industrial truck having an upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting carriage, the combination of a first slide assembly secured to the load supporting carriage for vertical movement therewith, a second slide assembly, relatively movable jaw means carried by said second slide assembly, means carried by said second slide assembly for effecting movement of said relatively movable jaw means whereby a load may be engaged thereby, means carried by said first slide assembly for effecting rotation of said second slide assembly whereby said movable jaw means before engagement with a load may be rotated for varying its rotative position relative to the load and after engagement with the load may be rotated for elfecting rotary movement of the load, and means carried by said first slide assembly for effecting movement of said last named means and said second slide assembly transversely of the truck to facilitate the positioning of said movable jaw means relative to a load prior to engagement of the latter.

4. For use with an industrial truck having an upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting carriage, the combination of a first horizontal slide assembly secured to the load supporting carriage for vertical movement therewith, a second slide assembly arranged in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the truck, relatively movable jaw means carried by said second slide assembly, means carried by said second slide assembly for efiecting movement of said relatively movable jaw means whereby a load may be engaged thereby, means carried by said first slide assembly for etfecting rotation of said second slide assembly whereby said movable jaw means before engagement with a load may be rotated for varying its rotative position relative to the load and after engagement with the load may be rotated for effecting rotary movement of the load, and means carried by said first slide assembly for effecting movement of said last named means and said second slide assembly transversely of the truck to facilitate the positioning of said movable jaw means relative to a load prior to engagement of the latter.

5. For use with an industrial truck having an upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting carriage, the combination of a first slide assembly secured to the load supporting carriage for vertical movement therewith, a second slide assembly, relatively movable jaw means carried by said second slide assembly, hydraulic actuating means carried by said second slide assembly for elfecting movement of said relatively movable jaw means whereby a load may be engaged thereby, fluid motor means carried by said first slide assembly for elfecting rotation of said second slide assembly whereby said movable jaw means before engagement with a load may be rotated for varying its rotative position relative to the load and after engagement with the load may be rotated for effecting rotary movement of the load, and hydraulic actuating means carried by said first slide assembly and being operatively connected with said fluid motor means for etfecting movement of the latter and said second slide assembly transversely of the industrial truck to facilitate the positioning of said movable jaw means relative to a load prior to engagement of the latter.

6. For use with an industrial truck having an upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting carriage, the combination of a first horizontal slide assembly secured to the load supporting carriage for vertical movement therewith, a second slide assembly arranged in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the truck, relatively movable jaw means carried by said second slide assembly, hydraulic actuating means carried by said second slide assembly for effecting movement of said relatively movable jaw means whereby a load may be engaged thereby, fluid motor means carried by said first slide assembly for effecting rotation of said second slide assembly whereby said movable jaw means before engagement. with a load may be rotated for varying its rotative position relative to the load and after engagement with the load may be rotated for effecting rotary movement of the load, and hydraulic actuating means carried by said first slide assembly and being operatively connected with said fluid motor for effecting movement of the latter and said second slide assembly transversely of the industrial truck to facilitate the positioning of said movable jaw means relative to a load prior to engagement of the latter.

7. For use with an industrial truck having an upwardly and downwardly movable load supporting carriage, the combination of a first horizontal slide assembly secured to the load supporting carriage for vertical movement therewith, said first slide assembly comprising a pair of spaced outer channel members fixed against movement relative to said load supporting carriage, inner channel members mounted in said outer channel members for movement relative thereto, hydraulic actuating means having connection between said inner and outer channel members for effecting movement of said inner channel members relative to said outer channel members, a second slide assembly, said second slide assembly comprising a pair of spaced outer channel members in which are mounted inner slide members, hydraulic actuating means having connection between said outer channel members and said inner slide members of said second slide assembly for elfecting movement of the inner members relative to the outer members, cooperating load clamping jaws one fixed to said outer channel members of said second slide assembly and the other fixed to said inner slide members of said second slide assembly, fluid motor means carried by said inner channel members of said first slide assembly for effecting rotary movement of said second slide assembly whereby said clamp jaws before engagement with a load may be rotated for varying their rotative position relative to the load and after engagement with the load may be rotated for eifecting rotary movement of the load.

m References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,410,373 Westervelt Oct. 29, 1946 2,520,252 Mutchler Aug. 29, 1950 2,578,070 Jones Dec. 11, 1951 2,596,401 Hines May 13, 1952 2,608,307 Oborski Aug. 26, 1952 2,635,774 Backofen et a1. Apr. 21, 1953 2,650,732 Hartquist Sept. 1, 1953 2,677,475 Davies et a1. May 4, 1954 2,699,878 Avery Jan. 18, 1955 

